Devonte Malik Thomas, aged 21, was fatally shot on January 4, 2017, in West Oakland, near 16th and Myrtle Streets. He was pronounced dead at the scene, marking Oakland's first homicide of that year. No motive has been determined, and no arrests have been made in relation to the case. Devonte's death left a profound impact on his family, especially since he was a new father. His tragic passing was part of the broader issue of gun violence that Oakland has grappled with in recent years.